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Kenya: Western Leaders Draw Wish List Ahead of Kenyatta’s Arrival

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4 years ago

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The revival of the debt ridden Mumias Sugar Company (MSC) and completion of key infrastructure projects are some of the issues leaders from western Kenya want President Uhuru Kenyatta to address during his tour of the region.

The projects include the tarmacking of key roads in Kakamega County. They include the 31-kilometre Lurambi-Navakholo-Musikoma road, which was commissioned by President Kenyatta before the 2017 polls, and the Ibokolo-Shianda-Malaha-Navakholo road, which connects Mumias East constituency and Navakholo.

The leaders said revival of Mumias Sugar will turn around the region’s economic fortunes.

“Mumias Sugar used to employ 3,000 permanent staff and 30,000 casual labourers before things started going wrong. We want the government to address the revival of the miller so that our people can have their jobs back and farmers can improve their livelihoods,” said Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe.

President Kenyatta’s visit, which starts on Sunday, has caused political jitters among local leaders, with allies of Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi and those of Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetang’ula threatening not to take part in welcoming the Head of State unless the two are involved in preparations.

They accused governors Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), Wilber Ottichilo (Vihiga), Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia), Wycliffe Wangamati (Bungoma) and Patrick Khaemba (Trans Nzoia) of sidelining other elected leaders.

Matayos MP Geoffrey Odanga yesterday said the president’s tour should not be used to popularise some presidential candidates ahead of next year’s polls.